How to Unblock Instagram Using a VPN

Instagram is the world's most popular photo-sharing social media platform. Users can make their accounts private or public and can share their photos with their followers (and attract others by adding hashtags to their posts).

If you’re reading this article, you want to know how to unblock Instagram. This might be because it is unavailable in your country, or because it is restricted by your local network - such as a workplace.

You’re not the only one who wants to unblock Instagram. To help you out, our experts have put together this handy list of the best VPNs for Instagram.

The Best VPN for Instagram

See the comparison table below for a list of the best VPNs for Instagram:

ExpressVPN
- The fastest VPN we test, unblocks everything, with amazing service all round

Top 5 VPNs for unblocking Instagram

Take a look at the list of VPN providers below for an in-depth look at the best instagram VPNs.

1. ExpressVPN

A reliable, fast VPN that internet users come back to time and time again

Pricing

From $6.67 -
$12.95

Available on

Windows

macOS

iOS

Android

Linux

Unblocks

Netflix

iPlayer

ExpressVPN tops BestVPN.com’s lists of the best VPNs on the market time and time again, and for good reason. Everything about the British Virgin Islands-based provider is top-tier, from its software, to its encryption protocols, to its network infrastructure, to its customer service.

ExpressVPN boasts servers in 78 countries and counting – one of the highest in the industry. This means that the sky’s the limit when you’re trying to find a server to access Instagram through. It’s generous four simultaneous connections is also Instagram-friendly, as you’ll be able to access the popular social media platform from your tablet, laptop, and smartphone!

2. CyberGhost VPN

A VPN with a lot of servers and excellent speeds

Pricing

From $2.75 -
$12.99

Available on

Windows

macOS

iOS

Android

Linux

Unblocks

Netflix

iPlayer

If you need a VPN for Instagram, CyberGhost is an excellent option. It has servers in over 60 countries and many of those are in locations where Instagram is available. What's more, CyberGhost provides extremely robust encryption and a solid zero logs policy. It is also great value for money and offers a 45 day money back guarantee

3. Private Internet Access

A fast VPN that is ideal for accessing blocked streams, social media, or messaging apps

Pricing

From $2.85 -
$11.95

Available on

Windows

macOS

iOS

Android

Linux

Unblocks

Netflix

iPlayer

Private Internet Access is a US-based service that is ideal for unblocking Instagram or any other social media service. It has apps for all platforms that are easy to use and can be installed on laptops, iOS devices and Android phones or tablets. PIA is a no logs VPN, which is the best VPN policy available on the market. This means it never stores records about what you do online.PIA also has a killswitch to prevent you from accidentally leaking your unprotected web browsing to your ISP. This ensures your privacy at all times.

In addition to strong privacy features, this VPN is fantastic for unblocking US content, restricted apps, and censored web domains. You can use it to unblock Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, restricted YouTube videos, or streaming services like hulu, Prime Video, and Netflix US. With PIA you get fast connection speeds to stream shows in HD without annoying buffering. And you can also make video calls without lag. We think that PIA provides excellent value for money, and it has a 30-day money back guarantee to test the service risk free.

4. Surfshark

A secure VPN with servers in over 60 countries ideal for unblocking Insta

Pricing

From $1.94 -
$11.95

Available on

Windows

macOS

iOS

Android

Linux

Unblocks

Netflix

iPlayer

Surfshark is a relatively young VPN provider, but don;t let that put you off. In its short lifetime it has risen to be one of the most sought after VPN services on earth. Currently ranked by consumers with 4.3 stars out of 5 on TrustPilot. With servers in over 60 countries this VPN can help you unblock anything, including Instagram. It is also fantastic at unblocking TV streams VoD services like Netflix US, US TV, BBC iPlayer, and anything else you can think of.

Surfshark VPN has a zero logs policy and strong encryption to ensure that your data always remains private. This means you can use it to access restricted VoIP services or to torrent. When it comes to feature selection and unblocking this VPN is very hard to beat. And, amazingly, this provider lets you use the VPN on an unlimited number of devices for easy use at home and on public WiFi. Well worth testing on any platform using its 30-day money back guarantee.

5. VyprVPN

A fast VPn that is perfect for unblocking anything in privacy

Pricing

From $2.50 -
$12.95

Available on

Windows

macOS

iOS

Android

Linux

Unblocks

Netflix

iPlayer

VyprVPN is a provider based in Switzerland that is another great option for accessing Instagram or other social media services. VyprVPN can be downloaded directly from the Apple or Google Play stores, and it is easy to use on any tablet or mobile device. The VPN can unblock Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any other social media service. And it is excellent for unblocking TV channels like BBC iPlayer or streaming services like Netflix, hulu, Prime Video, and HBO Go.

VyprVPN has a watertight no logs policy, and being based in Switzerland is considered superb for privacy. Plus with VyprVPN you get important features like OpenVPN encryption, a killswitch, DNS leak protection and even a proprietary stealth feature called Chameleon (to bypass firewalls and conceal your VPN use from your ISP). We believe VyprVPN is a fantastic choice for netizens who want a multi-purpose VPN, and it is suitable for beginners thanks to its live chat support. You can even test it risk free thanks to its 30-day money back guarantee.

Step-by-Step instructions for unblocking Instagram

We have given you a number of great VPN services to choose from that can unblock Instagram. Now what? Just follow the instructions below to get your Instagram VPN setup.

Sign up for your VPN provider of choice.

Download and set up the client software on your device.

Choose a location (where is up to you) and connect.

Open Instagram on your device, or download it if you haven't already.

Enjoy your newly unblocked Instagram account!

There is really nothing else to it!

Why would you need a VPN to unblock Instagram?

Countries that block Instagram

Instagram (along with every other popular social media platform) is banned in North Korea and China. Both countries are renowned for their heavily censored Internet and blocking of Western websites and content.

While we have yet to see a VPN service try to penetrate the stronghold that is North Korea, ProPrivacy.com does have a constantly-updated list of the href="/best-vpn-china/">best VPNs in China, should you be looking to breach the Great Firewall for reasons other than unblocking Instagram. That said, our top two VPNs in this article work in China.

Instagram blocked at school and work

Due to the distracting nature of social media, Instagram, its parent company Facebook, and other types of social media are blocked at many schools and workplaces. While these blocks are usually placed with the best of intentions – teachers want students to pay attention, and bosses don’t want their employees wasting working hours playing around on Snapchat – it’s annoying when you have a break and want to check your Instagram only to walk into a restriction.

By using a VPN with your mobile or laptop, you can work around these bans by changing your geo-location to appear in a different city or country – far away from your school or workplace’s IP address! Once your new location is set, you can browse Instagram to your heart’s content.

Instagram VPN Conclusion

Instagram is one of the most popular apps on the planet. The photo and video-sharing social media platform is highly addictive, with many people snapping and sharing media throughout the day.

If Instagram is banned at your school or workplace, you can get around the block by accessing Instagram via a VPN service, thereby allowing you to post, scroll and tap as much as you’d like.

In addition, if you’re in a country with a repressive government such as China and want to use Instagram, you can also use a VPN to bypass censors. Whatever your reason for needing to unblock Instagram, we are sure this list will help you find the perfect VPN to access the social media giant!